{"id":25668,"date":"2015-10-14T08:53:33","date_gmt":"2015-10-14T12:53:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/?p=25668"},"modified":"2015-10-06T08:55:58","modified_gmt":"2015-10-06T12:55:58","slug":"why-you-should-vote-in-the-federal-election-on-october-19","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/2015\/10\/14\/why-you-should-vote-in-the-federal-election-on-october-19\/","title":{"rendered":"Why you should vote in the federal election on October 19"},"content":{"rendered":"Election day is coming up - in fact, lots of students have already voted in the advance polls on campus over the past week. \u00a0There are lots of reasons why you should vote - because you care about the future of Canada and you want to have a voice in who leads it, because only 38% of young Canadians voted in the 2011 federal election (<\/span>source: Youth Vote Canada<\/span><\/a>) and that\u2019s just not good enough, because you\u2019re really passionate about an issue like education or the environment and you want to vote for the candidate who best reflects your views, <\/span>or just because you can. <\/b>\r\n\r\nThose are all good reasons, and here\u2019s one more: it\u2019s fun! With a few alterations to your voting routine, you can have the time of your life at the polls. Here\u2019s how. <\/span>\r\n\r\n1. Do some research.<\/b><\/b>\r\n\r\nBefore you head over to your nearest Elections Canada office or designated voting station, get to know the candidates that are competing for your confidence. Check out our very own <\/span>The Varsity\u2019s<\/span><\/i> round-up of candidates in University-Rosedale<\/span><\/a>, or Buzzfeed\u2019s hard-hitting <\/span>comparison of the candidates to emojis<\/span><\/a>. Grab some popcorn and hear from the federal candidates themselves in recent debates like <\/span>the Munk Debate on foreign policy<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>the Globe debate on the economy<\/span><\/a>, and the <\/span>Macleans debate<\/span><\/a>. Check out <\/span>the hashtag #elxn42 on Twitter<\/span><\/a> to see what Canadians are saying about the election, and join the conversation!<\/span>\r\n\r\n
\"Images<\/a>
Voting is a blast - just ask these guys! All pictures via Wikimedia Commons (Mulcair<\/a>, Trudeau<\/a>, Harper<\/a>, May<\/a>).<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\n\r\n2. Roll up with a posse.<\/b><\/b>\r\n\r\nWhat\u2019s cooler than voting? Voting with your friends and family! Bring along a group of pals and vote together. Matching sunglasses optional for added suaveness. The more people you bring to the polls, the better! Plus, if you vote on election day, you can all head over to someone\u2019s house after to watch the results over some much needed post-voting sustenance. For extra awesomeness points, whip out some themed decorations, or themed snacks - for example, Green Party green smoothies, NDP orange delicacies like Cheetos and Doritos, Justin Trudeau angel hair pasta, and Stephen Harper hot sauce (not a comment on his looks, weirdos - <\/span>according to the Globe and Mail, the man loves hot sauce!<\/span><\/a>).<\/span>\r\n\r\nThe University of Toronto Students Union suggested a really fun way to invite your friends to vote with you with their\u00a0#VOTEPOSAL campaign!\u00a0<\/strong>Watch the video below and share your #VOTEPOSAL pictures on social media.\r\n\r\n